[0001] This invention relates to a kit for the in-place repairing of automobile windshields
and to a method of using the kit.
[0002] In US Patent No. 3,562,366 to Sohl and US Patent No. 3,765,975 to Hollingsworth,
windshield cracks were repaired by using ultrasonic vibrations or mechanical force
to cause a polymer solution to fill up the windshield crack. Also described in the
Hollingsworth patent is the use of alternate negative and positive pressure cycles
in some situations. Another method, US Patent No. 3,993,520 to Werner et al., expedited
filling of the windshield crack by outgassing the polymer solution prior to injection
then applying positive and negative pressure cycles. It has been a problem in the
use of negative and positive pressure cycles to designate accurate pressure levels
and times sufficient to insure complete filling of the windshield crack with polymer
solution or other repair materials so as to repair the windshield and to monitor progress
of the repair so as to insure exhaustion of air from the windshield break cavity,
thereby allowing complete filling by the repair material.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a kit and simple method for repairing
windshield breaks.
[0004] The invention includes a kit for repairing windshield breaks comprising the combination
of:
a) a repair assembly adapted to be secured against a windshield over a windshield
break;
b) a mirror adapted to be placed against a windshield on the side of the windshield
opposite the repair assembly;
c) a screw having a lengthwise cylindrical opening and adapted to be positioned in
the repair assembly perpendicular to the windshield over the windshield break;
d) a gasket attached to the end of the screw next to the windshield and adapted to
form a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield when the screw is tightened
down on the windshield;
e) a repair material adapted to fill in windshield breaks;
f) a repair material applicator adapted to fit into the cylindrical opening of the
screw;
g) means for applying negative and positive pressures to the windshield break area
and adapted to attach to the screw in substantially fluid-tight relation.
[0005] The invention also includes a method for repairing windshield breaks comprising the
steps of:
a) securing on the windshield a repair assembly having a screw with a lengthwise cylindrical
opening and a gasket at one end into the repair assembly over the windshield break
with the gasket end located on the windshield;
b) turning the screw down on the windshield until the gasket at the end of the screw
forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield;
c) injecting a repair material into the windshield break area through the screw;
d) creating a vacuum in a range of 10-20 inches of mercury over the windshield break
for about 3-7 minutes, thereby forcing air out of the windshield break in initial
air exhaustion;
e) increasing the vacuum over the windshield break to within a range of 15-25 inches
of mercury and maintaining the increased vacuum for about 3-7 minutes, thereby forcing
air out of the windshield break in secondary air exhaustion;
f) further increasing the vacuum over the windshield break to within a range of 20-30
inches of mercury and maintaining the further increased vacuum for about 3-7 minutes,
thereby forcing air out of the windshield break in final air exhaustion;
g) creating a positive pressure over the windshield break for about 3-10 minutes,
thereby forcing the repair material into the windshield break.
[0006] The invention also includes a method for repairing windshield breaks comprising the
steps of:
a) positioning a repair assembly over the windshield break;
b) securing the repair assembly on the windshield;
c) placing a screw having a lengthwise cylindrical opening and a gasket at one end
into the repair assembly over the windshield break with the gasket end located on
the windshield;
d) placing a mirror against the windshield on the side of the windshield opposite
the repair assembly so as to reflect the windshield break area;
e) turning the screw down on the windshield until the gasket at the end of the screw
forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield, as evidenced by monitoring
the seal formation in the mirror;
f) injecting a repair material into the windshield break area through the screw;
g) creating a vacuum over the windshield break area and maintaining the created vacuum
until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirrored reflection of the windshield break
area, signifying the end of air exhaustion from the windshield crack;
h) creating a positive pressure over the windshield break area for about 3-10 minutes,
thereby forcing the repair material into the windshield break.
[0007] In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof, which
are given by way of example only, will now be described, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a kit for repairing a windshield with a bulls-eye crack.
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the repair assembly portion of the windshield
repair kit of Fig. 1 applied to a windshield with a bulls-eye crack.
Fig. 3 is a close-up, cross-sectional view of the repair assembly applied to a windshield
with a bulls-eye crack.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a kit for repairing windshields
with a bulls-eye crack.
Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a repair assembly
portion and a mirror portion of a windshield repair kit as applied to a windshield
with a bulls-eye crack.
[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates the windshield repair kit 1 which is used to repair windshields
according to the present method.
[0009] Referring to Fig. 2, the windshield 10 to be repaired comprises a plastic layer 12
sandwiched between an inner glass layer 14 and outer glass layer 16. As is typical
of bulls-eye cracks in safety glass windshields, the outer glass layer 16 has a cone
-shaped cavity 18 containing a conical glass segment 20. The area of the cavity 18
is to be filled in with a repair material which will harden so as to retain the conical
glass segment 20 in place and prevent refraction of light at the cavity 18. A repair
assembly 22 is shown mounted in position on the windshield 10 so as to commence repair
of the windshield break indicated by the cavity 18.
[0010] The components required to repair a pockmarked windshield are supplied in the form
of a kit 1, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A repair assembly 22 is shown which is comprised
of a base 24 which has a circular opening, not shown, a neck 28 attached to the base
24 having a circular opening 30, shown in Fig. 1, a suction cup 32 attached to one
side of the base 24, an arm 34 attached to the suction cup 32 and projecting perpendicular
to the base 24 through the base circular opening and a clamp 36 attached to the arm
34 and adapted to move so as to pull the arm 34 outward. A mirror 37 is provided which
is adapted to be placed against the windshield 10 on the side of the windshield opposite
the repair assembly 22. Also shown is a screw 38 which is adapted to be positioned
in the circular opening 30 of the repair assembly neck 28. The screw 38 has a lengthwise
cylindrical opening 40 and gasket, such as an o-ring 42, attached to the end of the
screw 38 opposite the head of the screw 38. A tube 44 is provided, which tube 44 is
adapted to be positioned in the end of the screw cylindrical opening 40 opposite the
o-ring 42.
[0011] A repair material 46 is included which is adapted to fill in the cone-shaped cavity
18 surrounding the conical glass segment 20, shown in Fig. 2. The kit includes a repair
material applicator adapted to fit into the cylindrical opening 40 of the screw 38.
The repair material applicator shown in Fig. 2 is a syringe 48 which is adapted to
fill up with the repair material 46. Also provided is a needle 50 which is adapted
to attach to the syringe 48 and to be inserted in the tube 44. Alternatively, the
repair material applicator could be a disposable plastic container, with or without
a premeasured amount of repair material 46, which container would have a snoutlike
dispenser adapted to fit into the cylindrical opening 40 or tube 44. Any device which
can deliver selected amounts of repair material 46 within the cylindrical screw 40
to the windshield break area 18 would be suitable for use as a repair material applicator.
[0012] A vacuum pump 52 is shown which is adapted to attach by means of a hose 53 to the
screw 38 or, alternatively, to the tube 44. A gauge 54 measures the level of vacuum
supplied by the pump. Also shown is a positive pressure applicator 56 adapted to be
inserted in the screw 38 or, alternatively, in the tube 44. The positive pressure
applicator 56 in one embodiment is a syringe which has a notched handle 58 which notch
can be engaged by a clip 60 located on the pressure syringe. Instead of a pressure
syringe an air pump (not shown) with a conventional check valve apparatus can be used
as a positive pressure applicator. Alternatively, a single apparatus capable both
of pulling a vacuum and applying pressure can be used in place of the vacuum pump
52 and the positive pressure applicator 56; this would be advantageous because only
one attachment to the screw 38 or the tube 44 need be made.
[0013] In case a repair material is selected which must be treated with ultraviolet light
before it will harden within the windshield crack, an ultraviolet light source 62
is provided which is adapted to provide ultraviolet light to the area surrounding
the bulls-eye crack in the windshield once the repair material has been inserted in
the bulls-eye crack.
[0014] Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment, kit 2. The parts of kit 2 which are
identical with kit 1 are numbered accordingly. The parts which are different in kit
2 are numbered in a 100-series.
[0015] In kit 2 the mirror 37 is mounted on a support frame 166 which is secured on the
windshield by means of a pair of suction cups 168. The screw 38 adapted to be positioned
in the circular opening 30 of the repair assembly neck 28 has a quad ring 142 for
a gasket, instead of the o-ring 42 shown in Fig. 1. The quad ring 142 provides a better
low-pressure seal in both negative and positive pressure ranges which is important
for star breaks which can be increased by excess pressure.
[0016] A tube 144 is provided which is adapted to be positioned in the end of the screw
cylindrical opening 40. The tube 144 is made out of
Delrin, a synthetic material which doesn't absorb moisture; a quick-connect fitting
(not shown) is mounted at the end of the
Delrin tube 144.
[0017] A unitary fluid pressure pump 152 is provided, which takes the place of the vacuum
pump 52 and positive pressure applicator 56 illustrated in Fig. 1. The fluid pressure
pump 152 has a two-way valve 170, manipulated by . caps 172 and 176, which valve 170
controls whether the pump 152 draws a negative pressure or a positive pressure. Two
check valves 169 and 171 are connected by means of tubing 173 to the two-way valve
170. The two check valves 169 and 171 are also connected by means of fixtures 177
and 179 to a piston cylinder 181 containing a piston 174, a tube 178 similar to the
tube 144 is connected to valve 170. A quick-connect fitting (not shown) is mounted
at the end of tube 178. A gauge 154 is mounted on the housing of tube 178 which gauge
154 r measures negative pressure in inches of mercury and positive pressure in pounds
per square inch.
[0018] If cap 172 of the two-way valve 170 is pulled out, the pump supplies negative pressure
when the piston 174 is pulled out because air is drawn down the tube 178, through
valve 170, tubing 173, and check valve 169 into fixture 177 and piston cylinder 181.
If cap 176 of the two-way valve 170 is pulled out, as is the case in
Fig. 4, the pump supplies positive pressure when the piston 174 is pushed in because
air is forced up through piston cylinder 181, fixture 179, check valve 171, tubing
175, valve 170, and into the tube 178. Vents in valve 170, not shown, release excess
air out the pressure side during the vacuum phase when the piston 174 is pushed in,
and relieve the vacuum from the vacuum side during the positive pressure phase when
the piston 174 is pulled out.
[0019] The hose 53 is provided with a pair of fastening clips 180, one at each end. Each
clip 180 fastens onto the quick-connect fittings of tubes 144 and 178 to provide fluid-tight
seals.
[0020] Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a repair assembly 22 and mirror 37
to be used in kits 1 or 2. The parts of the repair assembly 22 which are identical
with the repair assembly 22 shown in Figures 1 - 4 are numbered accordingly. The parts
which are different are numbered in a 200-series.
[0021] Referring to Figure 5, the preferred repair assembly 22 has a suction cup base 221
which can easily be purchased. The suction cup base 221 shown in Figure 5 has a base
224 with a plurality of openings, a suction cup 232 attached to the windshield side
of the base 224 which suction cup 232 has at least one handle 243 for ease in removing
the repair assembly 22 from the surface of the windshield 10, and an arm 234 attached
to the suction cup 232 and projecting out through a sideways opening of the base 224,
which arm 234 is adapted to be movable in and out from the base 224 so as to exhaust
air out from the suction cup 232, thereby forcing the edges of the suction cup 232
to adhere to the windshield 10.
[0022] The repair assembly 22 also has a neck 228 having a first section 229 with a circular
opening 230 in it adapted to receive the screw 38, and also having a second section
231 formed at an angle to the first section 229 which second section 231 has a lengthwise
slit 233. A first pivotal connector 235 located on top of the base 224 of the suction
cup base 221 connects the suction cup base 221 to the lengthwise slit 233 of the second
section 231 of the neck 22.
[0023] Associated with the first pivotal connector 235 is a first adjusting screw 237 which
serves as a first adjusting means and which can be moved so as to allow the neck 228
to rotate around the suction cup base 221 by means of the first pivotal connector
235. The first adjusting screw 237 can be turned one direction in order to loosen
the first pivotal connector 235 so as to allow the neck 228 to be moved into approximate
position (with respect to the windshield break area 18) by rotation around the suction
cup base 221, then the first adjusting screw 237 can be turned the opposite direction
so as to tighten the first pivotal connector 235 so that the neck 228 will no longer
be free to rotate around the suction cup base 221. Other first adjusting means such
as clamps or the equivalent can be used in place of the first adjusting screw 237.
[0024] A second pivotal connector 239 extends out from the first pivotal connector 235 through
the lengthwise slit 233 of the second section 231 of the neck 228. Associated with
the second pivotal connector 239 is a second adjusting screw 241 which serves as a
second adjusting means and which can be moved so as to allow the second pivotal connector
239 to move the length of the lengthwise slit 233, and also to allow the neck 228
to pivot around the second pivotal connector 239. The second adjusting screw 241 is
analogous to the first adjusting screw 237.
[0025] The second adjusting screw 241 can be turned one direction in order to loosen the
second pivotal connector 239 to move the length of the lengthwise slit 233, or to
allow the neck 228 to pivot around the second pivotal connector 239 thereby moving
the screw 38, located in the cylindrical opening 230 of the neck 228, directly into
position over the windshield break area 18; then the second adjusting screw 241 can
be turned the opposite direction so as to tighten the second pivotal connector 239
so that the second pivotal connector 239 will no longer be free to move the length
of the lengthwise slit 233, and the neck 228 will no longer be able to pivot around
the second pivotal connector 239; the screw 38 will thus remain securely in position
over the windshield break area 18. As with the first adjusting means, other second
adjusting means such as clamps or the equivalent can be used in place of the second
adjusting screw 241.
[0026] The adjustments afforded by the second pivotal connector 239 are illustrated in Figure
5 by comparing the bold-line view to the phantom view. In both views the suction cup
base 221 has been placed on a relatively flat portion of windshield. In the bold-line
view, the windshield break area 18 is in a curved section of the windshield 10 rather
than in a flat section of the windshield 10 coplanar with the suction cup base 221.
Therefore, the neck 228 has been positioned by means of the second pivotal connector
239 so that the screw 38 can be located perpendicular to the windshield break area
18, even though the plane of the suction cup base 221 is not perpendicular to the
windshield break area 18. In the phantom view, the suction cup base 221 is in the
same position; however, the windshield break area 18 is farther from the suction cup
base 221 and in a flat section of the windshield coplanar with the suction cup base
221. Therefore, the second pivotal connector 239 has been moved with the second adjusting
screw 241 so that in comparison to the bold-line view, the second pivotal connector
239 is close to the end of the lengthwise slit and the neck 228 has been pivoted around
the second pivotal connector 239, in an upward direction from that shown in the bold-line
view.
[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the mirror 37 is mounted inside a suction cup 268 which suction
cup 268 is adapted to adhere to the windshield upon the application of hand pressure.
[0028] In repairing a windshield break with kit 1 or kit 2 according to the present invention,
the repair assembly 22 is first positioned on the windshield 10 so that the circular
opening 30 of the neck 28 is directly over the windshield break cavity 18 as shown
in Fig. 2. The repair assembly 22 is then secured on the windshield 10 by pushing
the clamp 36 down parallel to the windshield 10, thereby outwardly pulling the arm
34 connected to the suction cup 32 through the base circular opening which causes
the edges of the suction cup 32 to be forced down and adhere to the windshield 10.
The mirror 37 is then placed against the windshield 10 on the side of the windshield
opposite the repair assembly 22 so as to reflect the windshield break area and insure
the repair assembly 22 is level on the windshield surface and to monitor further stages
of the windshield repair. The mirror 37 can be secured on the windshield 10 by means
of tape or by using the support frame 166 with the suction cups 168, illustrated in
Fig. 4.
[0029] Next the screw 38 is placed in the circular opening 30 of the neck 28 so that the
o-ring 42 or quad ring 142 is directly over the windshield break area. The screw 38
is then turned to push the gasket, o-ring 42 or quad ring 142 . down on the windshield
to form a generally fluid-tight seal, which can be determined by looking at the reflection
of the gasket, o-ring 42 or quad ring 142 in the mirror 37. The screw 38 may also
have a tube 44 or tube 144 inserted in the screw cylindrical opening 40, as shown
in Fig. 2.
[0030] When the alternative repair assembly 22 illustrated in Figure 5 is used, the repair
assembly 22 is placed on the windshield 10 in a location near the break area 10. The
arm 234 is pushed until the air is exhausted from the suction cup 232 and the suction
cup 232 adheres to the windshield.
[0031] The first adjusting screw 237 is moved so that the neck 228 is rotated around the
suction cup base 221 into approximate position with respect to the break area 18.
Next the second adjusting screw 241 is moved so as to exactly line up the circular
opening 230 in the neck 228 over the break area 18. The screw 38 is then placed in
the circular opening 230 and then turned until the gasket forms a tight seal on the
windshield.
[0032] The next step is to fill the repair material applicator, such as the syringe 48,
with the repair material 46 and the needle 50 is attached to the syringe 48. The needle
50 is inserted into the screw cylindrical opening 40 or, alternatively, into the tube
44 or tube 144, if such a tube has been inserted in the screw cylindrical opening
40, and the syringe plunger is depressed so as to transmit the repair material 46
through the needle 50 to the surface of the windshield break area. In place of the
syringe 46 and needle 50, a disposable plastic container having a snoutlike dispenser
could be used. If the plastic container held a premeasured amount of repair material
46, the snoutlike dispenser could simply be placed into the tube 44 or tube 144, and
the container could be squeezed so as to transmit repair material 46 to the surface
of the windshield break area.
[0033] After injection of the repair material 46, the syringe 48 and needle 50 are removed
from the repair assembly 22. The next step is to attach in a generally fluid-tight
relation a vacuum pump 52 to the screw 38 or, alternatively, to the tube 44 by a hose
53 or other suitable connecting means; using equipment similar to that shown in
Fig. 4 for kit 2, a fluid-pressure pump 152 would be attached to the screw 38 or the
tube 144 by a hose 53 with fastening clips 180. The vacuum pump 52 or the fluid-pressure
pump 152 is then operated so as to create a vacuum in the range of 10-20 inches of
mercury over the windshield break area enclosed by the o-ring 42 or quad ring 142,
as measured by the gauge 56 attached to the vacuum pump 52 or the gauge 156 attached
to the fluid-pressure pump 152, for about 3-7 minutes or until air bubbles cease appearing
in the mirror's reflection of the crack area, signifying initial exhaustion of air
from the crack. Next the vacuum is increased to within the range of 15-25 inches of
mercury by means of the vacuum pump 52 and maintained for about 3-7 minutes or until
air bubbles cease appearing in the mirror's reflection of the crack area, signifying
secondary exhaustion of air from the crack. In the final vacuum stage necessary to
force air out of the windshield break cavity 18, the vacuum is further increased to
within the range of 20-30 inches of mercury and maintained for about 3-7 minutes,
or until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirror's reflection of the crack area,
signifying final exhaustion of air from the crack, after which time the vacuum pump
52 is disengaged from the repair assembly 22. If a fluid-pressure pump is used, the
pump 152 remains attached to the repair assembly 22. Alternatively, a vacuum in the
range of 20 - 30 inches of mercury could be created over the windshield break area
and maintained until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirrored reflection of the
windshield break area, signifying the end of air exhaustion from the windshield crack.
[0034] The next step is to create a positive pressure over the windshield break area so
as to drive the repair material 46 into the cavity 18. To this end, the positive pressure
applicators whether in the form of a pressure syringe 56, air pump, or fluid-pressure
pump 152, is engaged in a generally fluid-tight relation in the screw cylindrical
opening 40 or, alternatively, in the tube 44 or tube 144. If the positive pressure
applicator is a pressure syringe, the pressure syringe plunger is then depressed to
a level at which the notched handle 58 engages the notch in the clip 60. If the positive
pressure applicator is an air pump or a fluid-pressure pump, pressure is applied to
the desired level. In most cases, the desired level will be within the range of 40-50
pounds per square inch, easily measured on a gauge 154 of a fluid-pressure pump 152.
In any case, the pressure is maintained for about 3-10 minutes, after which time the
repair assembly is removed from the windshield by raising the clamp 36, thereby releasing
the suction cup 32.
[0035] Many repair materials will harden within the windshield break without further processing.
Some repair materials, however, especially certain polymers, must be provided with
ultraviolet light to initiate a catalyzed hardening reaction. In those cases, the
final repair step is to provide ultraviolet light to the windshield break area for
about one minute with the ultraviolet light source 62 so as to cause the repair material
46 to harden within the windshield cavity 18.
Example 1
[0036] According to the present invention, the repair assembly was positioned and secured
on the windshield so that the circular opening of the neck was directly over the windshield
break. The mirror was then placed against the windshield on the side of the windshield
opposite the repair assembly and secured on the windshield with tape.
[0037] The screw, with a tube inserted in it, was then placed in the neck with the o-ring
directly over the windshield break area. The screw was turned so as to drive the o-ring
down on the windshield to form a generally fluid-tight seal; progress of the seal
formation was monitored by watching the reflection of the screw and o-ring area in
the mirror.
[0038] Next the syringe was filled with a polymeric repair material, and the needle was
attached to the syringe. The needle was inserted through the tube in the screw and
the syringe handle was depressed so as to transfer polymer from the syringe to the
windshield break area.
[0039] The syringe and needle were then removed from the tube. A hose was positioned with
one end attached to the tube in a generally fluid-tight relation and the other end
attached to the vacuum pump in a similar, generally airtight fashion. A vacuum of
15 inches of mercury was exerted on the windshield break area and maintained for 5
minutes. Then the vacuum was increased to 20 inches of mercury and maintained for
5 minutes. Finally, the vacuum was further increased to 25 inches of mercury and maintained
for 5 minutes.
[0040] The hose and vacuum pump were then removed, and the positive pressure applicator
in the form of pressure syringe was inserted into the tube in a substantially fluid-tight
relation. The pressure syringe handle was depressed, thereby exerting positive pressure
on the windshield break area, until the notch in the handle engaged the clip. The
pressure syringe was left in that position for 5 minutes.
[0041] The polymer used as the repair material required ultraviolet light before it would
harden in the windshield crack. Therefore, in the next step, the repair assembly was
removed from the windshield and the ultraviolet light source was used to supply heat
to the windshield break area for 1 minute.
[0042] Many repair materials are suitable for use in the present invention. Generally the
repair material chosen must have a viscosity low enough to allow the repair material
to flow into the windshield break cavity and must cure rapidly to substantially the
refractive index of windshield glass, with or without heating. Typical repair materials
which may be used are resins and polymers. Examples of polymers which may be used
include polyester, epoxy and urethane. Other suitable repair materials are described
in the prior art.
[0043] A series of carefully measured and maintained vacuum steps prior to applying positive
pressure to the windshield break area distinguish the present invention. Also, the
prior art does not disclose the use of a hand- operated, unitary fluid pressure pump
to apply both negative and positive pressures to the windshield break area. In addition,
the prior art does not teach the use of a mirror to monitor seal formation and to
determine the end of each stage of air exhaustion from the crack, thereby insuring
complete filling of the windshield crack with repair material. There is no need to
outgas the repair material prior to injection in order to permit a stronger vacuum.
[0044] Finally, the kit and its contents are reusable for repairing many windshield breaks.
[0045] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular
construction and arrangement of parts disclosed and illustrated herein but embraces
all such modified forms thereof which are within the scope of the following claims.
1. A kit for repairing windshield breaks comprising the combination of:
a) a repair assembly (22) adapted to be secured against a windshield (10) over a windshield
break (18);
b) a mirror (37) adapted to be placed against a windshield (10) on the side of the
windshield (10) opposite the repair assembly (22);
c) a screw (38) having a lengthwise cylindrical opening (40) and adapted to be positioned
in the repair assembly (22) perpendicular to the windshield (10) over the windshield
break (18);
d) a gasket (42,142) attached to the end of the screw (38) next to the windshield
(10) and adapted to form a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield (10) when
the screw (38) is tightened down on the windshield (10);
e) a repair material (46) adapted to fill in windshield breaks (18);
f) a repair material applicator adapted to fit into the cylindrical opening (40) of
the screw (38);
g) means for applying negative and positive pressures to the windshield break (18)
area and adapted to attach to the screw (38) in substantially fluid-tight relation.
2. A kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for applying negative pressure is
a vacuum pump (52) and the means for applying positive pressure comprises:
a) a pressure syringe (56);
b) the pressure syringe (56) having a notched handle (58); and
c) a clip (60) to engage the notched handle (58) so as to maintain the pressure on
the windshield break (18) at a given level.
3. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for applying negative and positive
pressures comprises a unitary fluid pressure pump (152) capable of drawing negative
and positive pressures and adapted to attach to the screw (38) in substantially fluid-tight
relation.
4. A kit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fluid pressure pump (152) is adapted to
be hand operated and comprises a two-way valve (170) which controls whether the pump
(152) draws a negative pressure or a positive pressure.
5. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for applying negative and positive
pressures is a unitary fluid pressure pump (152) comprising:
a) a two-way valve (170) which controls whether the pump (152) draws a negative pressure
or a positive pressure;
b) two check valves (169) and (171) connected to the two-way valve (170);
c) a piston cylinder (181) connected to the check valves (169) and (171);
d) a piston (174) located within the piston cylinder (181);
e) a tube (178) connected to the two-way valve (170); and
f) a gauge (154) associated with the tube (178) which gauge (154) is capable of measuring
negative and positive pressures.
6. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tube
(44) adapted to be inserted in the end of the screw (38) cylindrical opening (40)
opposite the gasket (42,142) so as to guide insertion of the repair material applicator
and wherein the means for applying negative and positive pressures is adapted to attach
to the tube (44) in substantially fluid-tight relation when the tube (44) is inserted
in the screw cylindrical opening (40).
7. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the repair assembly
(22) comprises:
a) a base (24) having a circular opening;
b) a neck (28) attached to the base (24) and having a circular opening (30) adapted
to receive the screw (38);
c) a suction cup (32) attached to one side of the base (24);
d) an arm (34) attached to the suction cup (32) and projecting perpendicular to the
base.(24) through the base circular opening (30);
e) a clamp (36) attached to the arm (34) which clamp (36) can be moved so as to exert
outward pressure on the suction cup while forcing the edges of the suction cup (32)
down on the windshield (10), thereby causing the suction cup (32) to adhere to the
windshield (10) and secure the repair assembly (22) in position.
8. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the repair assembly (22)
comprises:
a) a suction cup base (221);
b) a neck (228) having a first section (229) with a circular opening (230) in it adapted
to receive the screw (38), and also having a second section (231) formed at an angle
to the first section (229) which second section (231) has a lengthwise slit (233);
c) a first pivotal connector (235) which is located on top of the suction cup base
(221) and connects the suction cup base (221) to the lengthwise slit (233) of the
second section (231) of the neck (228);
d) a first adjusting means (237) which can be moved so as to allow the neck (228)
to rotate around the suction cup base (221) by means of the first pivotal connector
(235);
e) a second pivotal connector (239) which extends out from the first pivotal connector
(235) through the lengthwise slit (233) of the second section (231) of the neck (228);
and
f) a second adjusting means (241) which can be p moved so as to allow the second pivotal
connector (239) to move the length of the lengthwise slit (233), and also to allow
the neck (228) to pivot around the second pivotal connector (239).
9. A kit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the suction cup base comprises:
a) a base (224) having a plurality of openings;
b) a suction cup (232) which is attached to the side of the base (224) opposite the
first pivotal connector (235), which suction cup (232) has at least one handle (243)
for ease in removing the repair assembly (22) from the surface of the windshield (10);
c) an arm (234) attached to the suction cup (232) and projecting out through a sideways
opening of the base (224), which arm (234) is adapted to be movable in and out from
the base (224) so as to exhaust air out from the suction cup (232), thereby forcing
the edges of the suction cup (232) to adhere to the windshield (10).
10. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mirror (37) is
mounted inside a suction cup (268) which suction cup (268) is adapted to adhere to
the windshield (10) upon the application of hand pressure.
11. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the repair material
applicator comprises:
a) a syringe (48) adapted to fill up with the repair material (46);
b) a needle (50) adapted to attach to the syringe (48) and to be inserted in the cylindrical
opening (40) of the screw (38) so as to transmit the repair material (46) from the
syringe (48) to the windshield break (18).
12. A kit as claimed in any one of'the preceding claims, further comprising an ultraviolet
light source (62) adapted to supply ultraviolet light to the windshield break area
(18) so that repair materials (46) which require ultraviolet light to initiate a catalyzed
hardening reaction will harden within the windshield break area (18).
13. A method for repairing windshield breaks comprising the steps of:
a) securing on the windshield a repair assembly having a screw with a lengthwise cylindrical
opening and a gasket at one end into the repair assembly over the windshield break
with the gasket end located on the windshield;
b) turning the screw down on the windshield until the gasket at the end of the screw
forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield;
c) injecting a repair material into the windshield break area through the screw;
d) creating a vacuum in a range of 10-20 inches of mercury over the windshield break
for about 3-7 minutes, thereby forcing air out of the windshield break in initial
air exhaustion;
e) increasing the vacuum over the windshield break to within a range of 15-25 inches
of mercury and maintaining the increased vacuum for about 3-7 minutes, thereby forcing
air out of the windshield break in secondary air exhaustion;
f) further increasing the vacuum over the windshield break to within a range of 20-30
inches of mercury and maintaining the further increased vacuum for about 3-7 minutes,
thereby forcing air out of the windshield break in final air exhaustion;
g) creating a positive pressure over the windshield break for about 3-10 minutes,
thereby forcing the repair material into the windshield break.
14. A method for repairing windshield breaks comprising the steps of:
a) positioning a repair assembly over the windshield break;
b) securing the repair assembly on the windshield;
c) placing a screw having a lengthwise cylindrical opening and a gasket at one end
into the repair assembly over the windshield break with the gasket end located on
the windshield;
d) placing a mirror against the windshield on the side of the windshield opposite
the repair assembly so as to reflect the windshield break area;
e) turning the screw down on the windshield until the gasket at the end of the screw
forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the windshield, as evidenced by monitoring
the seal formation in the mirror;
f) injecting a repair material into the windshield break area through the screw;
g) creating a vacuum over the windshield break area and maintaining the created vacuum
until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirrored reflection of the windshield break
area, signifying the end of air exhaustion from the windshield crack;
h) creating a positive pressure over the windshield break area for about 3-10 minutes,
thereby forcing the repair material into the windshield break.
15. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in claim 14, wherein the created
vacuum is maintained until the end of initial air exhaustion from the windshield crack,
and further comprising the steps of:
a) increasing the vacuum over the windshield break area and maintaining the increased
vacuum until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirrored reflection of the windshield
break area, signifying the end of secondary air exhaustion from the windshield crack;
and
b) further increasing the vacuum over the windshield break area and maintaining the
further increased vacuum until air bubbles cease appearing in the mirrored reflection
of the windshield break area, signifying the end of final air exhaustion from the
windshield crack.
16. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in claim 15, wherein the created
vacuum is within the range of 10-20 inches of mercury, the increased vacuum is in
the range of 15-25 inches of mercury, and the further increased vacuum is within the
range of 20-30 inches of mercury.
17. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein
the created vacuum is maintained for about 3-7 minutes, the increased vacuum is maintained
for about 3-7 minutes, and the further increased vacuum is maintained for about 3-7
minutes.
18. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in claim 13,15,16 or 17, wherein
the created vacuum is 15 inches of mercury, the increased vacuum is 20 inches of mercury,
and the further increased vacuum is 25 inches of mercury.
19. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in any one of claims 13 to
18, further comprising the steps of:
a) removing the repair assembly from the windshield; and
b) applying ultra-violet light to the windshield break area for about 1 minute, thereby
causing the repair materials which require ultraviolet light to initiate a catalyzed
hardening reaction to harden within the windshield break.
20. A method for repairing windshield breaks as claimed in any one of claims 13 to
19, wherein the created positive pressure is within a range of 40-50 pounds per square
inch.